I started “Writer’s Block” so that I could document my journey as I navigate my way through the academic and professional world of creative writing—and hopefully encourage other aspiring writers to pursue a field that, although competitive, is something that they’re passionate about. I will share stories that inspire me, pieces of my own writing (as well as a breakdown of my process) and my personal insight into different MFA programs around the country.

Creative writing in an academic setting is, to put it lightly, rigorous. It wasn’t until my first year of college that I was actually able to share my writing among my peers, and have it critiqued in an academic setting. At this point in my life, I had always been told that I was a talented writer—by my family, friends and teachers—and had a bit of an ego. In my first workshop, my story (which I deemed to be a work of art) was torn apart. It was a humbling experience, but it also allowed me to take a step back and recognize that I’m not a perfect writer—I probably never will be, and that’s okay.

It’s also okay if some people aren’t a fan of your writing. There’s no such thing as an objectively “good” story, style or voice. However, if you want to pursue a career in the field, you must remember that you are writing for an audience. This doesn’t mean you have to sell out and write your own Fifty Shades of Grey, but it does mean that it’s crucial to accept and consider constructive criticism. I was a Clinical Nutrition major when I took my first creative writing class, but afterwards, despite the harsh feedback, I knew that the only thing I was passionate about was writing. However, I also knew that I had a long way to go until my writing was refined enough to be published. I’ve taken several more workshop classes since then, with a variety of different people, and have been challenged further than I thought I could have been. I hope that, through exploring this blog, that you find some useful tools to develop your own craft as well as resources for undertaking a career in the creative writing field.